This page is dedicated to the extensive fleet of Dennis Lancets
operated by Aldershot & District Traction Company Ltd. in Surrey, Hampshire
and West Sussex both before and after the second world war.
The archetypal post-war Aldershot & District Dennis Lancet
with Strachans bodywork. This is one of the twenty three Lancet III buses
purchased in 1949 and typifies the styling with which the type was known
for decades. No.114 (GOU 814) is seen on Route 17 in Castle Street, Farnham
in the late 1950s. Many thanks to Peter Trevaskis for the fine picture, via
the Aldershot & District Bus Interest Group. See further down this page
for a picture of the same vehicle after retirement and conversion to a service
lorry.
INTRODUCTION AND CREDITS
Aldershot
& District Traction Company (known affectionately as "Tracco") operated more
than 300 Dennis Lancet buses and coaches over the years, with the first example
being acquired in 1932. What follows is an attempt to create a brief history of
the type, in the form of records and images designed to give even the casual
reader some impression of the development and classic styling of this extensive
fleet.
The company's predecessor, Aldershot &
Farnborough Motor Omnibus Co., was formed in 1906, and adopted the A & D
name in 1912, acquiring its first Dennis bus in 1916.
For many years A & D favoured products
from the local firm of Dennis Bros. Ltd., Guildford. Similarly, bodywork for the
majority of their vehicles for around 30 years came from the firm of Strachans
Successors Ltd., of North Acton, London W3 (originally known as Strachans and
Brown). The resultant Dennis / Strachans styling for their halfcab single
deckers became synonymous with A & D and was immediately identifiable as one
of their distinctive fleet. Five of the breed survive today in preservation, one
pre-war example and four post-war.
Initially the vehicles were identified by
the prefix "D" (representing "Dennis") added to the company chassis number. This
was shown in small characters, usually on the bonnet. In late 1950 / early 1951
this practice was dropped, and a larger "list number" was displayed on the front
and back of the vehicle. This was effectively a fleet number, and bore no
relation to the previous numbering system.
Owners of pictures, when known, are
credited, and their use is much appreciated. However the photographers of some
pictures are not shown on the original photograph, and therefore are not known
to me. Whoever they were I thank them, and if they contact me with their names
they will of course be credited. If a rightful owner wishes me to remove any
image, it will be done forthwith. However I hope that photographers (or
copyright holders) will permit the use of these fine pictures in their proper
context.
As with my other lists, there are bound to
be mistakes, and some relevant information may be missing so, in order to make
it as accurate a reference as possible, I would of course welcome any additions
or corrections.
FLEET LIST
==========
DENNIS LANCET BUS - D348 (Total 1)
Built; 1932
Chassis:
Dennis Lancet I, 4-cylinder petrol engine.
Body: Strachans B32R with rear roof
luggage rack.
Notes; Aldershot & District's first
Dennis Lancet
.
D 348 (CG 477) c/n 170007. Requisitioned by War Department in
1940.
DENNIS LANCET BUSES - D349-350 (Total 2)
Built; 1932
Chassis:
Dennis Lancet I, 4-cylinder petrol engine.
Body: Strachans B32R
D349
(CG 1315) c/n 170175. Withdrawn 1940.
D350 (CG 1316) c/n 170179. Withdrawn
1940.
DENNIS LANCET COACHES - D351-362 (Total
12)
Lancet D356 (CG 1322) probably at Guildford depot shortly before
its withdrawal from service in 1948, with a similar example alongside. Photo
by M.C.Lawson, via Aldershot & District Bus Interest Group.
Built; 1932
Chassis:
Dennis Lancet I, 4-cylinder petrol engine.
Body: Strachans C30R
Notes; All used as wartime ambulances
from 1939, but returned to service 1945-46. All withdrawn
1948.
D351
(CG 1317) c/n 170099.
D352 (CG 1318) c/n 170100.
D353 (CG 1319) c/n 170101.
D354 (CG 1320) c/n 170115.
D355 (CG 1321) c/n 170159.
D356 (CG 1322) c/n 170160. With rear
roof luggage pannier.
D357 (CG 1323) c/n 170161.
D358 (CG 1324) c/n 170170.
D359 (CG 1325) c/n 170171.
D360 (CG 1326) c/n 170174.
D361 (CG 1327) c/n 170177.
D362 (CG 1328) c/n
170178.
DENNIS LANCET COACHES - D363-D364 (Total 2)
Built; Early 1934
Chassis:
Dennis Lancet I, petrol engine.
Body: Strachans C30R
Notes; Later had large roof luggage
panniers fitted. Both withdrawn in 1948.
D363
(CG 6358) c/n 170464. Used as military ambulance from 1939, returned 1946,
withdrawn 1948.
D364 (CG 6357) c/n 170474. Used as
military ambulance from 1939, returned 1945, withdrawn
1948.
DENNIS LANCET COACHES - D 391-399 (Total
8)
Clearly Lancet D395 (CG 9600) is being made ready for disposal,
with the A&D titles already painted over and destination blinds removed,
so this photo was probably taken in 1949. These vehicles show few differences
from the 1932 deliveries, apart from a full-length roof pannier. Photo by
M.C.Lawson, via Aldershot & District Bus Interest Group.
Built; 1935
Chassis:
Dennis Lancet I
Body: Strachans C30R
Notes; All used as wartime ambulances
from 1939, but returned to service 1945-46. All withdrawn
1948-49.
D391
(CG 9596) c/n 170763. Withdrawn 1949.
D392 (CG 9597) c/n 170765.
D393 (CG 9598) c/n 170780. With
full-length roof luggage pannier. Withdrawn 1949 and sold to M.Hill, Hayling
Island.
D394 (CG 9599) c/n 170779.
D395 (CG 9600) c/n 170788. With
full-length roof luggage pannier.
D396 (CG 9601) c/n 170795.
D397 (CG 9602) c/n 170796.
D398 (CG 9603) c/n 170799.
D399 (CG 9605) c/n
170792.
DENNIS LANCET BUSES - D407-425 (Total 19)
Lancet No.667 (AOT 600) in the late 1950s when being used by a
showman. (Photo via Bristol Vintage Bus Group)
Built; 1936
Chassis:
Dennis Lancet I, petrol engine.
Body: Strachans B30R. Most were rebodied
by Vincent of Reading as B32R in 1948-49, using interior fittings from old
Strachans bodies.
Notes; All used as wartime ambulances
from 1939, but returned to service 1944-46. Most converted to oil engines in the
late 1940s.
D407
> 654 (AOT 587) c/n 171025. Rebodied by Vincent c.1948. Renumbered 654 in
1951. Withdrawn 1954.
D408 > 655 (AOT 588) c/n 171030.
Rebodied by Vincent c.1948. Renumbered 655 in 1951. Withdrawn 1954.
D409 > 656 (AOT 589) c/n 171028.
Rebodied by Vincent c.1948. Old body donated to D425. Renumbered 656 in 1951.
Withdrawn 1954.
D410 > 657 (AOT 590) c/n 171029.
Rebodied by Vincent c.1948. Old body donated to D424. Renumbered 657 in 1951.
Withdrawn 1954. Later used by showman.
D411 > 658 (AOT 591) c/n 171031.
Rebodied by Vincent c.1948. Rear roof luggage pannier. Renumbered 658 in 1951.
Withdrawn 1954.
D412 > 659 (AOT 592) c/n 171032.
Rebodied by Vincent c.1948. Renumbered 659 in 1951. Withdrawn 1954.
D413 > 660 (AOT 593) c/n 171034.
Rebodied by Vincent c.1948. Renumbered 660 in 1951. Withdrawn 1954.
D414 > 661 (AOT 594) c/n 171033.
Rebodied by Vincent c.1948. No roof luggage pannier. Renumbered 661 in 1951.
Withdrawn 1954.
D415 > 662 (AOT 595) c/n 171037.
Rebodied by Vincent c.1948. Renumbered 662 in 1951. Withdrawn 1954.
D416 > 663 (AOT 596) c/n 171035.
Rebodied by Vincent c.1948. Renumbered 663 in 1951. Still active 1955.
D417 > 664 (AOT 597) c/n 171039.
Rebodied by Vincent c.1948. Renumbered 664 in 1951. Withdrawn 1954.
D418 > 665 (AOT 598) c/n 171040.
Rebodied by Strachans as B32R due to accident damage 1946. Renumbered 665 in
1951. Withdrawn 1954.
D419 > 666 (AOT 599) c/n 171052.
Rebodied by Vincent c.1948. Renumbered 666 in 1951. Withdrawn 1954.
D420 > 667 (AOT 600) c/n 171056.
Rebodied by Vincent c.1948. Renumbered 667 in 1951. Withdrawn 1954. Later used
by showman.
D421 > 668 (AOT 601) c/n 171060.
Rebodied by Vincent c.1948. Renumbered 668 in 1951. Withdrawn 1954.
D422 (AOT 602) c/n 171025. Withdrawn
1949.
D423 (AOT 603) c/n 171098. Withdrawn
1949.
D424 (AOT 604) c/n 171107. Received
old body from D410 in 1948. Withdrawn 1949.
D425 (AOT 605) c/n 171124. Received
old body from D409 in 1948. Withdrawn 1949.
DENNIS LANCET BUSES - D427-D436 / 674-677, 683
(Total 10)
Lancet No.676 (BAA 389) in the late 1950s when being used by a
showman. (Photo via Bristol Vintage Bus Group)
Built; 1936
Chassis:
Dennis Lancet I, petrol engine.
Body: Strachans B32R. Two were rebodied
post-war by Strachans as B32R. Three others were rebodied by Vincent of Reading
as B32R in 1948-49, using interior fittings from old Strachans
bodies.
D427
> 674 (BAA 387) c/n 171063. Used as wartime ambulance 1939-c1945. Rebodied
by Vincent c.1948. Withdrawn 1954. With Chipperfields Circus 1960.
D428 > 675 (BAA 388) c/n 171066.
Used as wartime ambulance 1939-c1945. Rebodied by Vincent c.1948. Withdrawn
1954.
D429 > 676 (BAA 389) c/n 171127.
Used as wartime ambulance 1939-c1945. Rebodied by Vincent c.1948. Withdrawn
1954. Later used by showman.
Lancet D441 (BOT 292), nearing the end of its service around 1950,
from the first batch of Lancet II vehicles, with the revised style of radiator
grille. This delivery had a more 'modern' appearance, very much like the
post-war vehicles that were to follow. Photo by M.C.Lawson, via The Aldershot
& District Bus Interest Group.
Gordon Oram wrote to say "This bus is probably parked in the old
station yard at Guildford. It has been on route 65 which went from Guildford
to the village of Puttenham. The route went into Compton off the A3 where
the bus had to turn round before continuing its journey. I can remember many
trips in the early 1950s on this route to an aunt who lived in Puttenham.
The route ran every hour and the yellow bus services had a route that ran
hourly from Guildford to Farnham through Puttenham and Seale (not going down
to Compton). This gave the village a half hourly service."
Built; 1936-37
Chassis:
Dennis Lancet II, petrol engine.
Body: Strachans B32R, but built to
virtual coach standard, some with full-length roof luggage
pannier.
D 437
(BOT 288) c/n 175121. Withdrawn 1940.
D 438 > 695 (BOT 289) c/n 175133.
Renumbered 695 in 1951. Withdrawn 1951.
D 439 > 696 (BOT 290) c/n 175149.
Renumbered 696 in 1951. Withdrawn 1951.
D 440 > 697 (BOT 291) c/n 175151.
Renumbered 697 in 1951. Withdrawn 1951.
D 441 > 698 (BOT 292) c/n 175157.
No roof luggage pannier. Renumbered 698 in 1951. Withdrawn 1951.
D 442 > 699 (BOT 293) c/n 175182.
Renumbered 699 in 1951. Withdrawn 1951.
D 443 > 700 (BOT 294) c/n 175181.
Renumbered 700 in 1951. Withdrawn 1951.
D 444 > 701 (BOT 295) c/n 175183.
Renumbered 701 in 1951. Withdrawn 1951.
D 445 > 702 (BOT 296) c/n 175185.
Renumbered 702 in 1951.Withdrawn 1951.
D 446 > 703 (BOT 297) c/n 175191.
Decorated to celebrate Coronation of King George VI in 1937. To War
Department 1940. Renumbered 703 in 1951. Sold 1951 to J.Brown, Feltham.
D 447 (BOT 298) c/n 175210. Withdrawn
1949.
D 448 (BOT 299) c/n 175213. Withdrawn
1949.
D 449 (BOT 300) c/n 175211. Withdrawn
1949.
D 450 (BOT 301) c/n 175214. Withdrawn
1949.
D 451 > 708 (BOT 302) c/n 175217.
No roof luggage pannier in 1944. Renumbered 708 in 1951. Withdrawn 1951.
D 452 (BOT 303) c/n 175251. Withdrawn 1949.
** SURVIVOR ** A&D Omnibuses Rescue & Restoration Society. Body
collapsed by 2004, but complete rebuild intended.
D 453 > 710 (BOT 304) c/n 175246.
Renumbered 710 in 1951. Withdrawn 1951.
D 454 > 711 (BOT 305) c/n 175270.
Renumbered 711 in 1951. Withdrawn 1951.
D 455 (BOT 306) c/n 175272. Withdrawn
1949.
D 456 (BOT 307) c/n 175306. Withdrawn
1949.
DENNIS LANCET II COACHES - D498-510 / 755-767
(Total 13)
Built; 1937-38
Chassis:
Dennis Lancet II, 6.5 litre Dennis O4 oil engine.
Body: Strachans C32R with no roof luggage
pannier.
Notes; Intended for the Farnham-London
service. All were withdrawn 1953-54.
D 498
> 755 (COR 151) c/n 175375. Withdrawn 1953.
D 499 > 756 (COR 152) c/n 175416.
Withdrawn 1953.
D 500 > 757 (COR 153) c/n 175409.
Withdrawn 1953.
D 501 > 758 (COR 154) c/n 175408.
Withdrawn 1953.
D 502 > 759 (COR 155) c/n 175417.
Withdrawn 1953.
D 503 > 760 (COR 156) c/n 175453.
Withdrawn 1953.
D 504 > 761 (COR 157) c/n 175447.
Withdrawn 1953.
D 505 > 762 (COR 158) c/n 175454.
Withdrawn 1953.
D 506 > 763 (COR 159) c/n 175457.
Withdrawn 1954, sold to Jones, Chertsey.
D 507 > 764 (COR 160) c/n 175449.
Withdrawn 1953.
D 508 > 765 (COR 161) c/n 175456.
Withdrawn 1953.
D 509 > 766 (COR 162) c/n 175465.
Withdrawn 1953.
D 510 > 767 (COR 163) c/n 175462.
Withdrawn 1953.
DENNIS LANCET II BUSES - D511-D538 / 768-795
(Total 28)
Lancet No.772 (COR 168) in the late 1950s when in use as a caravan.
(Photo via Bristol Vintage Bus Group)
Built; 1938
Chassis:
Dennis Lancet II, 6.5 litre Dennis O4 oil engine.
Body: Dennis B32R
D511
> 768 (COR 164) c/n 175516. Withdrawn 1952.
D512 > 769 (COR 165) c/n 175517.
Withdrawn 1951.
D513 > 770 (COR 166) c/n 175521.
Withdrawn 1951.
D514 > 771 (COR 167) c/n 175520.
Had bonnet number D515 until 1951. Withdrawn 1952.
D515 > 772 (COR 168) c/n 175523.
Had bonnet number D514 until 1951. Withdrawn 1952. Later became a caravan.
D516 > 773 (COR 169) c/n 175531.
Withdrawn 1952.
D517 > 774 (COR 170) c/n 175541.
Withdrawn 1952.
D518 > 775 (COR 171) c/n 175540.
Withdrawn 1952.
D519 > 776 (COR 172) c/n 175545.
Withdrawn 1952.
D520 > 777 (COR 173) c/n 175544.
Withdrawn 1951.
D521 > 778 (COR 174) c/n 175546.
Withdrawn 1952.
D522 > 779 (COR 175) c/n 175547.
Withdrawn 1952.
D523 > 780 (COR 176) c/n 175567.
Withdrawn 1952.
D524 > 781 (COR 177) c/n 175565.
Withdrawn 1952.
D525 > 782 (COR 178) c/n 175572.
Withdrawn 1952.
D526 > 783 (COR 179) c/n 175576.
Withdrawn 1951.
D527 > 784 (COR 180) c/n 175574.
Withdrawn 1952.
D528 > 785 (COR 181) c/n 175579.
Withdrawn 1952.
D529 > 786 (COR 182) c/n 175580.
Withdrawn 1952.
D530 > 787 (COR 183) c/n 175586.
Withdrawn 1951.
D531 > 788 (COR 184) c/n 175591.
Withdrawn 1952.
D532 > 789 (COR 185) c/n 175587.
Rear roof luggage pannier. Withdrawn 1954, sold to Jones, Chertsey.
DENNIS LANCET II BUSES - D598-D605 / 859-866
(Total 8)
Lancet No.860 (ECG 381) around 1950. (Photo Roy Marshall via East
Pennine Transport Group)
Built; 1941-42 ("unfrozen" chassis)
Chassis:
Dennis Lancet II, Gardner 5LW oil engine.
Body: Strachans B32R or B32F
Notes: Aldershot & District were
fortunate to be able to take delivery of these 'unfrozen' wartime buses which
were virtually identical to their peacetime specifications. All were renumbered
in 1951.
D598
> 859 (ECG 380) c/n 175757. Deliv.1941. Strachans B32R. Body renovated by
Portsmouth Aviation 1948. Withdrawn 1954.
D599 > 860 (ECG 381) c/n 175758.
Deliv.1941. Strachans B32R. Body renovated by Portsmouth Aviation 1948.
Withdrawn 1954.
D600 > 861 (ECG 424) c/n 175756.
Deliv.1941. Strachans B32R. Body renovated by Portsmouth Aviation 1948.
Withdrawn 1954.
D601 > 862 (ECG 852) c/n 175769.
Deliv.1942. Strachans B32F (later B32R). Body renovated by Portsmouth Aviation
1948. Withdrawn 1954.
D602 > 863 (ECG 600) c/n 175759.
Deliv.1942. Strachans B32R. Body renovated by Portsmouth Aviation 1948.
Withdrawn 1954.
D603 > 864 (ECG 851) c/n 175770.
Deliv.1942. Strachans B32F (later B32R). Body renovated by Portsmouth Aviation
1948. Withdrawn 1954.
D604 > 865 (ECG 945) c/n 175771.
Deliv.1942. Strachans B32F (later B32R). Body renovated by Portsmouth Aviation
1948. Withdrawn 1954 and became showman's vehicle named "Baby Bill".
D605 > 866 (EHO 162) c/n 175779.
Deliv.1942. Strachans B32R. Body renovated by Portsmouth Aviation 1948.
Withdrawn 1954.
DENNIS LANCET III BUS - D606 / 887 (Total 1)
Built; Early 1945
Chassis:
Dennis Lancet III, Dennis "O6" 7.585 litre direct-injection 6-cylinder oil
engine.
Body: Dennis B32R
Notes; The first Lancet III built by
Dennis (prototype).
D 606 > 887 (EOR 743) c/n 175781. Renumbered 887 in 1951.
Withdrawn 1956.
DENNIS LANCET III BUSES - D607-656 / 894-943
(Total 50)
This is one of the fifty Lancet III buses purchased immediately
after the war and typifies the styling with which the type was known for
decades. No.923 (EOU 464) had originally been numbered D636. It claims
to be going to "Hindhead, via Hindhead", and Geoff Baker tells me he is sure
the location is the drive up to Hindhead Depot, known as "the slope" (Geoff
Courtnage wrote to say that he agrees with this location). Photo; thanks
to Peter Trevaskis, via the Aldershot & District Bus Interest
Group.
Martin Grinstead wrote "Just a short note on EOU 464. I think the
destination blind is correct but probably reads 'Hindhead Golf Club via
Hindhead'. This was an extra part of route 19 to allow passengers to get
to Beacon Hill, which was the busiest part of the route from Haslemere. Another
route was the 19A during the summer, which ran all the way to Bognor via
Chichester bus station."
Built; December 1946 to June 1948
Chassis:
Dennis Lancet III J3, Dennis "O6" 7.585 litre direct-injection 6-cylinder oil
engine.
Body: Strachans B32R, some with rear roof
luggage pannier.
D623 > 910 (EOU 451) c/n 101J3,
deliv. 3/47, first production Lancet III. Withdrawn 1956. With Smiths, Reading
1959, derelict and apparently used for spares.
DENNIS LANCET III BUSES & COACHES - D 657-700
/ 944-987 (Total 44)
Lancet No.983 (GAA 619) seen at Windsor on 16 June 1961, during
its last season of service with A & D. Later that year it was to
be sold, and relegated to carrying workers as a contractors' bus. Photo by
kind permission of Nigel Lemon.
Built; 1948-49
Chassis:
Dennis Lancet III J3, Dennis "O6" 7.585 litre direct-injection 6-cylinder oil
engine.
Body: The first 29 had Strachans B32R bus
bodies, delivered between June 1948 and March 1949; the last 15 had C32R coach
bodies but were delivered concurrently with the early buses during 1948.
Notes; For express services. Most
withdrawn around 1961.
D658 > 945 (GAA 581) c/n 329J3,
deliv. 6/48. B32R. Withdrawn 1957. With Tindall, Ashby-cum-Fenby in 1960.
D659 > 946 (GAA 582) c/n 330J3,
deliv. 6/48. B32R. Withdrawn 1958 (probably written off after an accident with
a Seddon low-loader on the A281 between Shalford and Bramley)
D666 > 953 (GAA 589) c/n 484J3,
deliv. 10/48. B32R. Withdrawn 1957. To D.J.Davies ("Wheatsheaf"?), Merthyr
Tydfil. With Ringham, Barry for staff transport 1960.
D667 > 954 (GAA 590) c/n 491J3,
deliv. 10/48. B32R. Withdrawn 1957. Sold 1958. With Mouget (contractors),
Dormanstown 1959.
D674 > 961 (GAA 597) c/n 508J3,
deliv. 11/48. B32R. Withdrawn 1959, stored at Aldershot pending sale.
D675 > 962 (GAA 598) c/n 509J3,
deliv. 11/48. B32R. Withdrawn 1959, stored at Aldershot pending sale.
D676 > 963 (GAA 599) c/n 513J3,
deliv. 1/49. B32R. Withdrawn 1959, stored at Aldershot pending sale. With
Gleesons (contractors) 1960.
D677 > 964 (GAA 600) c/n 514J3,
deliv. 12/48. B32R. Rear roof luggage pannier, but no pannier in 1958.
Withdrawn 1960. Workers bus with Gleeson, North Cheam 1961.
D678 > 965 (GAA 601) c/n 519J3,
deliv. 1/49. B32R. Withdrawn 1959, stored at Aldershot pending sale.
D679 > 966 (GAA 602) c/n 520J3,
deliv. 1/49. B32R. Withdrawn 1959, stored at Aldershot pending sale.
D686 > 973 (GAA 609) c/n 366J3,
deliv. 3/48. C32R. No roof luggage pannier. Stored at Aldershot 1959, but
apparently not withdrawn until 1961 (973 & 974 were the last of the batch
to be withdrawn). With Alscot Motors, London SE1 in 1962.
D687 > 974 (GAA 610) c/n 392J3,
deliv. 6/48. C32R. No roof luggage pannier. Withdrawn 1961 (973 & 974 were
the last of the batch to be withdrawn). With Alscot Motors, London SE1 in
1962.
D696 > 983 (GAA 619) c/n 462J3,
deliv. 7/48. C32R. Withdrawn 1961, sold to A.A.Stuart (contractor), Farnham.
D697 > 984 (GAA 620) c/n 471J3,
deliv. 8/48. C32R. No roof luggage pannier. Withdrawn 1961, sold to Sir
Lindsay Parkinson (contractor) as their fleet No.SLP.3688.
D700 > 987 (GAA 623) c/n 482J3,
deliv. 9/48. C32R. Withdrawn 1961, sold to A.A.Stuart (contractor),
Farnham.
DENNIS LANCET III BUSES - D707-D729 / 101-123
(Total 23)
Lancet No.103 (GOU 803) in the 1950s (Photo origin unknown). Gordon Oram tells me "The photo of 103 is taken at Woking Station
bus stand one. The bus is on route 64 which ran every 2 hours via Westfield
and Mayford to Pirbright Fox Corner as it was known 50 or so years ago, now
just known as Fox Corner. I often used to travel on this route out to my
home at Westfield. The hoarding on the wall behind the bus is an advert for
Moldram, Clark and Edgley which was an estate agent for the town."
Lancet No.114 (GOU 814), seen in full glory at the top of this
page, was withdrawn in 1961 and became a service lorry with the entire rear
body cut away. Here we see it at its base, Hindhead depot, on 12 April 1968
in its new guise as No.38 with trade plates, alongside 1954 AEC Reliance
271 (MOR 602). Originally from a batch of 25, Reliance 271 was not one of
the 15 rebuilt with Weymann bus bodies for further service in 1965-67, and
still retains its Strachan "Everest" coach body, but it remained in the fleet
until the end of 1968. It was then sold to a building contractor in Warrington
for workers' transport. Photo by kind permission of Peter Esposito, via Chris
Stanley.
Built; 1949
Chassis:
Dennis Lancet III J3, Dennis "O6" 7.585 litre direct-injection 6-cylinder oil
engine.
Body: Strachans B32R, some with rear roof
luggage panniers.
Notes; All still active in 1956, but all
gone by 1961.
D719 > 113 (GOU 813) c/n 617J3,
deliv. 7/49. Withdrawn early 1961. With Eaves (contractor), Blackpool 1962.
D720 > 114 (GOU 814) c/n 676J3,
deliv. 9/49. Withdrawn early 1961. Converted to service lorry with entire rear
upper body cut away, based Hindhead as No.38 with trade plates 141 AA.
Lancet No.178 (HOU 904) photographed especially for this website
by Chris Wagstaff at Matlock Bus Station on 1 Dec 2007. The only survivor
of this batch, it has been beautifully restored, and had brought visitors
into Matlock for the annual Christmas Victorian Weekend.
Lancet No.184 (HOU 910) in the 1960s at Woking Station (Photo origin
unknown). Gordon Oram again informs me "The picture of 184 is again
definitely at Woking Station. The buses often used to park up the road from
the actual 5 or 6 bus stops until it was time for the pick up. This appears
to be what 184 is doing. I well remember the wooden fencing and have spent
hours of my early teenage years there watching both trains and
buses."
Built; 1950
Chassis:
Dennis Lancet III J10, Dennis "O6" 7.585 litre direct-injection 6-cylinder oil
engine. 30 foot chassis.
Body: Strachans B38R, 30 feet long x 8
feet wide, with no roof luggage panniers.
Notes; These were the last Lancets to
receive A&D 'list numbers', and by 1967 the surviving examples may well have
been the last halfcab single-deckers still in service within the BET group. The
arrival of these first 30 foot vehicles for A & D coincided with the
publicity surrounding the mighty Bristol Brabazon airliner that had just been
produced at Bristol (Filton) aerodrome. So, due to their size, they were known
as "Brabs". HOU 900 was left out of the sequence as this registration was
allotted to a sole Dennis Dominant, No.174.
D783 (HOU 904) is the sole survivor.
D778
> 173 (HOU 899) c/n 104J10, deliv. 10/50. A 1950 Commercial Motor Show
exhibit. Withdrawn 1967.
D783 > 178 (HOU 904) c/n 118J10,
deliv. 11/50. Withdrawn 1967 and sold for preservation to Brian Oxborough for
£150, then to Allan Hallpike in 1972. Later to Dean, Paisley, then to Wales.
To Neil Macpherson (
Macpherson Coaches
), Donisthorpe, Derbyshire 1995.
** SURVIVOR **
D787 > 182 (HOU 908) c/n 129J10,
deliv. 12/50. Withdrawn 1965, sold to Miller-Foxton, Cambs., (also reported
with Ambery, Geddington as as staff bus in 1965), but apparently with the
Assembly of God, Sittingbourne, Kent in 1966.
194 (LAA 229) c/n 175J10C, b/n 51862,
deliv.6/53. Became FDP38R for bus duties from 1961. Withdrawn 1963.
195 (LAA 230) c/n 178J10C, b/n 51863,
deliv.6/53. Became FDP38R for bus duties from 1961. Withdrawn 1963. With Smith
(contractor), Riverhead, Sevenoaks 1966.
196 (LAA 231) c/n 177J10C, b/n 51864, deliv.6/53. Became FDP38R
for bus duties from 1961. Withdrawn 1963. Stubbs, Burton on Trent.
**SURVIVOR**
198 (LAA 233) c/n 180J10C, b/n 51866,
deliv.6/53. Withdrawn 1963, sold to Simpsons Coaches, London SE20.
199 (LAA 234) c/n 182J10C, b/n 51867,
deliv.6/53. Became FDP38R for bus duties from 1961. Apparently sold to a
contractor in Surrey, Sept 1963, but reported with Osmond, Curry Rivel also in
1963, and with S.Davies, Cardiff in 1965.
200 (LAA 235) c/n 181J10C, b/n 51868,
deliv.7/53. Became FDP38R for bus duties from 1961. Withdrawn 1963, sold to
Hewitt (contractor), Cranleigh.
201 (LAA 236) c/n 183J10C, b/n 51869,
deliv.6/53. Withdrawn 1963, sold to Hewitt (contractor), Cranleigh.
202 (LAA 237) c/n 184J10C, b/n 51870,
deliv.7/53. Withdrawn 1963. With Smith (contractor), Riverhead, Sevenoaks
1966.
TOTAL 307 ( with 5 survivors - D452, D657, D693, D783,
196 )
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